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People are seen praying at Bursa's Ulu Cami on Mawlid al-Nabi on Sunday. (Photo: Cihan)
13 January 2014 /TODAYSZAMAN.COM, İSTANBUL
Muslims throughout Turkey celebrated Mawlid al-Nabi (Mevlid Kandili in Turkish) on Sunday, marking the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
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Most of the country's Muslims went to mosques to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, who was born in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, in A.D. 571. This year marks the 1,442nd anniversary of his birth. Muslims consider him God's mercy to the world as he is the last in a series of monotheistic religions' prophets and the person who presented Islam to the world. His personality and manners are seen as a sacred model to be emulated by all Muslims. Prophet Muhammad passed away in 632.
Mevlid Kandili was first observed around the 13th century and was preceded by a month of celebration. The day is usually celebrated by a sermon, remembering Prophet's life and mission, gift giving and a feast.
İstanbul's Eyüp Sultan Mosque attracted large numbers of people. Kandil sermons were held in the mosque, and they ended with prayers and ilahis -- songs that praise God or extol the characteristics of the Prophet. The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) broadcast live from the Mimar Sinan Mosque in İstanbul in the evening.
Twitter users posted large numbers of tweets under the hashtag #hayırlı kandiller (blessed Mavlid an-Nabi) to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad on the Internet.
Turkey commemorates birth of Prophet Muhammad - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news